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Are You A Lukewarm Christian?

According to Francis Chan these are the 17 signs of a lukewarm Christian. OUCH!

1. Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe “good Christians” do, so they go. Isaiah 29:13

2. Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so, After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? 1 Chronicles 21:24, Luke 21:1-4

3. Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives. Luke 6:26, Revelation 3:1, Matthew 23:5-7 4.

4: Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don’t genuinely hate sin and aren’t truly sorry for it; they’re merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don’t really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one. John 10:10, Romans 6:1-2.

5. Lukewarm people are moved by stories of people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for “extreme” Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call “radical” what Jesus expected of all His followers. James 1:22, James 4:17, Matthew 21:28-31

6. Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion. Matthew 10:32-33

7. Lukewarm people gauge their morality or “goodness” by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren’t as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street. Luke 18:11-12

8. Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives, their money, and their thoughts, but he isn’t allowed to control their lives. Luke 9:57-62

9. Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him all their heart, soul, and strength. They would be quick to assure you they try to love God that much, but that sort of total devotion isn’t really possible for the average person; its only for pastors and missionaries and radicals. Matthew 22:37-38

10. Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love for others is typically focused on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is a little love left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them, who kids are better athletes than theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached. Matthew 5:43-47, Luke 14:12-14

11. Lukewarm people will serve God and others, but there are limits to how far they will go or how much time, money, and energy they are willing to give. Luke 18:21-25

12. Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. Daily life is mostly focused on today’s to-do list, this week’s schedule, and next month’s vacation. Rarely, if ever do they intently consider the life to come. Philippians 3:18-20

13. Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. Matthew 25:34, 40, Isaiah 58:6-7

14. Lukewarm people do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be “good enough” without requiring too much of them. 1 Chronicles 29:14, Matthew 13:44-46

15. Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them sacrificing and risking for God. Matthew 10:28

16. Lukewarm people feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age twelve, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote Republican, or live in America.

17. Luke warm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don’t have to trust God if something unexpected happens-they have their savings account. They don’t need God to help them—they have their retirement plan in place. They don’t genuinely seek out what life God would have them live—they have life figured and mapped out. They don’t depend on God on a daily basis-their refrigerators are full and, for the most part, they are in good health. The truth is, their lives wouldn’t look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God. Luke 12:16-21

18. Lukewarm people probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that, they really aren’t very different from your typical unbeliever. They equate their partially sanitized lives with holiness, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Matthew 23:25-28, Luke 14:34-35

I see and understand what you are conveying. I say becareful to not say you should do these things to be “righteous” Becareful becuase it is finger pointing like this that is doing more harm than good for the church as a whole.
But good post good verses, and thoughts.

It is just as easy to point out the “they”…I believe that Chan was merely sharing a statistic. Instead of using numbers he used SCRIPTURAL facts. It doesn’t take much to see that these trends are taking over in the church. I am sure if you spoke to Chan he would admit to being just as guilty in some manners as the next guy. People that point out the “they” in thoughts like this are usually only trying to make a self righeous point in order to cover up the blame on their face. God Bless bro…but please…Know that pastors don’t preach from God unless it is done with Conviction!

i’m a believer and i know to love god with all your heart mind soul and strength is the most awesome thing we could do. what else is ther ? what more could we want out of life than to love and serve our god who gave his only son to take our place in punishment for our sins?i glorify and praise the name of jesus, the name above all names in heaven and on earth.he is the air that i breathe the one i love the most the best thing thats ever happaned to me! i just couldn’t see myself not doing what he asks of us.

If God’s Word offends you, you probably need to repent of your pride. I think we struggle with being lukewarm everyday to varying degrees. The goal is to be discontent with remaining in that state and repent! Why do you think He’s knocking on the door? (Rev. 3:20) I think God is knocking on the door of many churches in America wanting to be let in!

A sinful man was at a street corner crying…another man was then there named Jesus and He came to him and asked, why do you weep? He said, ‘they will not let me in to the church because I am a sinful man”..Jesus said, “do not weep or be afraid, they won’t let me in either”

The question is Are you a lukewarm Christian? I think in my part no….yet I’m guilty of some of these…but i think it’s part of being a Christian…it’s the learning experience…it’s the human experience…it’s the experience of the body…once the spirit is out of this body then it can join God…but until then I’m learning…learning to have a spiritual experience with God…and feeling that peace that only God can bring…and wanting that peace forever in eternity with Him…until then I will fall and I will be guilty of some of these but it’s okay because He loves me and I will learn from my mistakes…and everyday is a step closer to Him…:)

I agree with caca. Alot of us are just kids. Still in pre-school.
For what i believe, the most dangerous ones are those who knows in their hearts and minds and know how to do it plus has faith but Dont do it. I believe people even this kind will even get convicted by the holy ghost, so we really cannot escape. That is why there is a helper.
Other indanger-people are those who follow friends to be a church goers, and out of the church, everything is forgotten.
Some of my old friends i used to see are like this, one day when im up and running, I may be able to pick them out but who knows, we have the holy spirit and we’ll see what his instruction…

God himself does comes to our lives to teach us or through revelations.

Great article! I’d been wanting to find a concise summary of Chan’s remarks for quite awhile. I have one small correction to make in the 15th statement, if possible. I believe the word “from” should be added before the word “sacrificing.”

I understand this article. I use to live my life just the way you explained, as a lukewarm christian, but then, the I was given the holy spirit and it all changed. A person cannot be saved until God has given them grace b/c we are saved by grace through faith. And, in order to get that grace, we must humble ourselves so that we can receive His grace and mercy and be born again of spirit, to be renewed in our hearts and minds. It is a gift of God, so no man can boast that he is trying very hard to live a holy life. Therefore, a person who has to work at being a christian is no christian at all…only a person who has received the gift of the holy spirit by grace through faith can live a holy life and have the renewal of mind and heart which leads them to be a slave to Christ without hard work. B/c no longer are we leading our own life, but Christ is and nothing is impossible for Him.

Be on Fire for the lord. Too many churches are lukewarm. Many churches and pastors are lukewarm also. Find a good bible based church that don’t bend on biblical issues. And worship lord with all your heart and help your fellow man too the best of your abilities. We must let our flesh die and let our spiritman grow for gods glory. And pray until something happens. God be with you brothers.

“Lukewarm people call “radical” what Jesus expected of all His followers”

I like this comment you had made above..

And this has been my experience, true followers of Christ are considered to be nut cases, considered to be men that had fallen off the deep end, extremists, way to obsessive over Christ, and people just dont seem to understand why.. “if it dont involve Christ.. i have no interest!”..

in fact.. most all things of this life.. now feel to me.. like an unneeded “risk to my salvation”.. “a distraction to my calling in Christ”.. and “a danger to my soul”.. so why should i involve myself with anything other then Christ??

after all.. its the straight and narrow road right??

But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:14

Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. Luke 13:24

“I consider everything else worthless because I’m much better off knowing
Christ Jesus my Lord. It’s because of him that I think of everything as
worthless. I threw it all away in order to gain Christ”

Guilty…..and guilty of saying tomorrow I*ll……acting as if I am doing God a favor.Knowing the word through knowledge yet not applying the Word daily. Yes this is a good article. We must examine ourselves!

I think we all have the capacity to be lukewarm at times and this truth should be enough to keep us looking intently at ourselves and areas of improvement. Also to understand that any true and lasting change flows out from the Grace of God. I am so grateful for His mercy that sees the end, the finished product and sends forth His Spirit to do the recreating and refining work to get us to where we need to be.

My Advice To You Would Be To Pray. I Had A Quick Temper Problems And Other Things, But I Prayed and I’ve Been Seeing A Change In My Temper, I Don’t Reply To Every Little Thing Instead I Say “Ok.” Prayer Really Does Work.

Say it like it is, luke warm Christians are not in Love with God through and in the Person of His Son. If they’ve received the Son they rarely show it and likely don’t even know it. The bigger might be that they are luke warm because they haven’t been broken or smashed ; when you’re life has been saved, you’ll know it, and when you know it, you’ll love him, until then there is no real reason to other than a mental assent, but starts are better than nothing…many might become strong in faith at an older age, but in the meantime there are others that are suffering because of luke warm Christians defaming his Good Name.!

The better question might be, if one is lukewarm are they a ‘Christian’ at all? Afterall, Christ said, I know you, you are lukewarm,,I wish you were either hot or cold…but I will spit you out”. Does Christ spit out Christians? No..he can’t spit out himself. There is no such thing as a lukewarm Christian..but there are luck warm believers with no conviction, likely because they haven’t been broken yet.

If you’re a luke warm christian what are you supposed to do?
Work harder at not being lukewarm?
Pray for God’s grace.. then what?
How do I generate a genuine love for God? Recognizing your lukewarmness, you can’t just go and manufacture love. Is love a feeling? How can you get a feeling of love for God? I can’t force myself to love the girl down the street.

I love Fransis Chan, but I would add—Lukewarm Christian participate in secular/pagan holidays adopted by the ungodly Catholic Church. Do your research on the origins of the holidays and you won’t be able to deny that you shouldn’t be taking part. Jer. 10 We are not suppose to worship God like pagans by learning their ways. It’s wrong, and more obviously so than some things that are mentioned. Easily gotten rid of too. Just think how much money you could give the poor by not wasting it on materialistic, fruitless, pagan traditions.

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[…] 3:16, speaks of Christians who are not fully submitted to the lordship of Christ: They are lukewarm. Not only do they misrepresent Christ to non-Christians and damage the witness of others, they will […]

[…] 3:16, speaks of Christians who are not fully submitted to the lordship of Christ: They are lukewarm. Not only do they misrepresent Christ to non-Christians and damage the witness of others, they will […]

[…] very easily relate to yesterdays post on obedience. I say that because God has not called us to be lukewarm in our faith. He has called us to be different, to be the change we want to see. Yet we live in a society where […]

[…] The following are some signs of a lukewarm Christian according to Pastor Francis Chan as written by Chris Marlow and paraphrased by me because plagiarism is a serious crime. For the full list, please refer to this link. […]